Imagine Coming Home to This House Guest

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A Reservoir Hills, South Africa family was in for an unpleasant surprise when a deadly black mamba slithered in through the front door and made itself at home. Finding the house already occupied, the shy snake panicked and dodged down a hallway into a bedroom. The homeowner quickly closed the door, trapping it for a local snake wrangler.

In the video above, the rescuer opens the door on a nearly eight-foot-long venomous snake. The snake handler then gently uses tongs to corral the snake for removal and relocation. Black mambas don’t make the best roommates, but is their fearsome reputation deserved? Find out more about these incredible snakes and you be the judge.

How to Recognize a Black Mamba

Despite the name, black mambas aren’t actually black. The “black” in black mamba refers to the color inside their mouths. Their skin color is usually olive, grey-brown, or gunmetal grey. They are the longest snakes in Africa, averaging around 8 feet, although there have been reports of black mambas as long as 14 feet. They have long, coffin-shaped heads with narrow hoods that flare in response to threats.

Black mambas live in the rocky hills, woodlands, and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa. They are primarily ground dwellers, but can also be found among the trees. They actively avoid humans, so they rarely enter homes or other buildings. However, a snake may occasionally enter through doors or windows in search of prey. Ceilings and walls make a good hiding place. In the video above, the rescuer believes the snake had been frightened and was looking for shelter.

How Venomous Are Black Mambas?

A black mamba will strike repeatedly, each bite delivering an extraordinarily toxic venom. It contains both neurotoxins, which affect the nervous system, and cardiotoxins, which impact your cardiovascular system. An average bite will inject about 100mg-120mg of venom. Scientists estimate that a mature black mamba’s maximum venom yield is around 400mg. As little as 15-20mg can kill a human. Victims experience trouble breathing in less than half an hour, and the bite will be fatal if untreated.

Fortunately, the antivenom for black mamba bites is very effective, and the sooner the victim is treated, the better the prognosis. The exact number of fatalities from black mamba bites is unknown, but researchers estimate there are around 20,000 snakebite deaths in Africa every year. Black mamba deaths are reported to be more frequent in rural areas where access to the antivenom is limited.

Are Black Mambas Misunderstood?

Black mambas are also intimidating because of their speed. They rank among the fastest snakes in the world, using lateral undulation to move over 12mph. With lateral undulation, the snake bends its body into an “S” shape, propelling itself forward by pushing off the ground and other objects to gather momentum.

Despite a natural fear of their deadly venom and alarming speed, black mambas go out of their way to avoid people. These skittish snakes nearly always slither away when confronted. They are normally not territorial or aggressive, and typically only strike when cornered or threatened.